A therapy used in the treatment of patients who need to lower their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol will become more accessible to UnitedHealth Group policy holders, as the company gives preferred access to injection therapy Praluent.
Praluent is manufactured by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
This new preferred access will apply to OptumRx and UnitedHealthcare for commercial, Medicare and Managed Medicaid patients.
To date, more than 100 million patients in the U.S. have been prescribed Praluent by their physicians. The therapy is available in two doses -- 75 milligrams and 150 milligrams -- and is often recommended in combination with a healthy diet and statin therapy.
"We are pleased that the appropriate patients in the U.S. now have preferred access to Praluent through UnitedHealth Group," Jez Moulding, president of North American pharmaceuticals for Sanofi, said. "Praluent is a significant innovation for patients with the highest unmet need who may benefit from further reduction of their LDL cholesterol, and we look forward to continued collaboration with other insurers to help ensure appropriate patient access to Praluent."
Both doses will be included in the preferred status, giving physicians more flexibility in developing treatment plans for their patients.
Patients who take Praluent can find more information online at the drug's home page.
